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Kaieteur News
Saturday January 20, 2018
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
FLAWED LEADERSHIP On the issue of leadership, the former American army general and President of the United States from 1953 to 1961, Dwight D Eisenhower, said “You do not lead by hitting people over the head. Any damn fool can do that, and it’s usually called assault, not leadership. Leadership is persuasion, and conciliation, and education, and patience. It is long, slow, tough work. The strongest leaders are not afraid to change their minds.” Our leaders should inculcate such sobering thought in the dispensation of their responsibilities. But we have flawed leaders, especially in the opposition, who have abandoned the core values of society, ignored the people’s rights and ruled Guyana as though they were ordained by a higher power to do so. After more than 50 years of self-rule in Guyana, real changes in attitudes, initiatives, realignment, restructuring and re-engineering have not occurred because of poor leadership which was buttressed by the racial divide in the country. Our leaders continue to blame the faulty structures, systems and processes of colonialism. Dramatic change would not take place without deeper and more fundamental change in our culture, attitudes and work habits. The systems, practices and beliefs that exist today are deeply ingrained in our psyche. They are usually not what are needed to move the country forward in a competitive world. Skilled and talented leadership, efficient public service management and an insightful private sector are what will bolster the economy, increase production, transform our primitive organizational structures and culture, and drive the development of the country. After 23 years of nasty, corrupt, lawless and for the most part unaccountable leadership by the last government, any objective observer should know that the present government must adopt a more persuasive and conciliatory approach in order to change the mindset of the people and gain their confidence. It must abandon the viciousness, abrasiveness and arrogance adorned by the PPP. Many, including some PPP supporters, feel that the PPP regime, was highly corrupt, spiteful and covetous, and had placed their interest over the interest of the general population and the country. Therefore, whatever they say now about this government essentially has no merit. It seems that the people are not seriously prepared to listen to their criticisms, because they simply have not forgotten the abuse, punishment and cruelty inflicted on them by the Jagdeo/Ramotar regime. It is no secret that Jagdeo has accused this government of corruption, when his administration was the second most corrupt in the Caribbean, after Haiti. It is no secret his administration was travelling the world begging for money on behalf of the country, but with the intent to enrich a chosen few. It is no secret that the sugar industry was run into the ground under Jagdeo, with the death knell being more than US$200 million investment in the white elephant Skeldon sugar factory. And last but not least, it is no secret that despite several accusations of corrupt practices by senior public officials in the last administration, no attempt was even made to purposefully investigate let alone charge anyone. This type of lawlessness was also evident when a large section of the country’s best ocean front lands at Sparendaam was parceled out without our knowledge. The current government must make real decisions in 2018 about how to get us out of this economic stalemate, and about the policies that will engender confidence in the people. Mass layoffs never appear good in a country with a small population as ours. One job loss can affect an entire household. In this regard, the layoff of sugar workers during the Christmas season without proper compensation was ill-conceived. Again we witnessed poor leadership. Attitudes really need to change.
GRATITUDE TO KAIETEUR NEWS – MINISTER GASKIN STOP BLUFFING PLEASE MR. EDITOR, First and foremost, let me heartily congratulate you, Mr. Lall, Mr. Freddie Kissoon, Ms. Kiana Wilburg, Ambassador Ron Sanders, and all the other Kaieteur News columnists (except Peeping Tom), staff and other collaborators, who have forced the Government of Guyana to listen to Kaieteur News’ nationalistic admonishments about that oil giant and international exploiter of the mineral wealth of so many poor countries, ExxonMobil. Let me congratulate Kaieteur News for having brought this obstinate donkey, the APNU-AFC government, to the well of wisdom; this APNU-AFC regime, with its several arrogant Ministers, chief among them Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who has had the mind-boggling audacity to arrogantly declare that he is “not obliged to share” public sector information with the people of Guyana, who pay his handsome salary and incredible perks. They pay for his comfortable travels on Virgin Atlantic. Thank you, Kaieteur News, for having forced this donkey to drink a little from this well of wisdom. Thank you, Mr. Lall and Mr. Editor, Adam Harris, for getting this donkey to drink at least some of the waters of this refreshing well, lest they end up having to drink Liza Block stale oil instead. I voted for that donkey, to remove the PPP monkey, off our bruised and battered backs, but look how it has so quickly begun to frustrate me with its stupid, suicidal and exasperating stubbornness. The arrogance of Minister Jordan is particularly unnerving, and it is no surprise, seeing that he spent his en-
tire life under the tutorship of Lord Jagdeo. In the meantime, let us wait and see how long it will take President Granger to publicly thank Kaieteur News for having warned his donkey about ExxonMobil. I hope the President can remember that this is the same Kaieteur News that fought, tooth and nail, to get rid of Guyana’s murderous PPP monkey! Today, thanks to Kaieteur News, everybody is now talking of preparations to properly manage the emerging oil industry of Guyana. Hooray! as we used to say in decades past in Essequibo. In the meantime also, let us not continue to play the same old games with the people of Guyana. We had enough of games, thievery, treachery, corruption, officially sanctioned murders, massacres, etc., for more than 23 years, between 1992 and 2015. We are tired of the crap! The Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin, recently assured the media that the Government of Guyana has paid attention to the various lessons learned around the world regarding the dealings of ExxonMobil in numerous countries. He promised that Guyana would walk a different path from so many countries that had been severely mistreated and mauled by the oil giant. Of course, “mistreated” and “mauled” were not his words. Actually some of his exact words were: “…we have had some worry in the sector that Guyana’s inexperience in this industry may lead to it getting the short end of the stick. “But I would like to say that I don’t think that is going to happen. There are a number of interventions that are being made and measures that are being put in place to ensure that Guyana and
Guyanese are the main beneficiaries of all that is taking place offshore.” One of the first things people must look for when listening to government officials, is their exaggeration and grandiose talk. This is the tool to know whether they are being sincere with the people, or whether they’re only shooting off hot air in vain attempts to appease the people, and to put the people off guard. As regards development in the oil industry, Minister Gaskin is already engaging in the use of lies and insincerity, when he says that: “Guyana and Guyanese” will be “the main beneficiaries of all that is taking place offshore.” Where in the world have the people of any nation been the “main beneficiaries” of the work of ExxonMobil in the exploitation of their mineral resources? Nowhere in the world has this ever happened! If Guyana and the people of Guyana would be the “main beneficiaries” of Exxon’s work in Guyana’s oilfields, ExxonMobil would never set up shop in Guyana. So, Minister Gaskin must not engage in this insincere chit-chat, this unrealistic, foolish talk, as if he thinks all Guyanese are fools. Instead Minister Gaskin should advise the Government of Guyana to do the following four things, and hopefully, he may then be able to talk of having a positive legacy in the development of the Guyanese oil industry, that his children, grand-children and great grand-children would be happy to boast about tomorrow: Advise President Granger to instruct Foreign Minister Carl Greenidge, to stop behaving as if he is a spokes-
man for ExxonMobil. Minister Greenidge has very strangely and inappropriately reacted very badly and negatively to Kaieteur News’ noble and dutiful work to warn the Government and people of Guyana about ExxonMobil’s terrible reputation around the world, in matters of oil exploration and commercialization. That powerful corporation has access to dozens of Exxon-friendly news agencies, reporters and correspondents, all around the world, who have said not a word in response to Kaieteur News’ nationalistic attitude, understanding as they do that KN is only performing its duty for Guyana and for the people of Guyana. Minister Greenidge, amazingly, for some weird reason, does not understand this. How can ExxonMobil ever have any respect for our Foreign Minister with this “House Slave” attitude? ExxonMobil officials must be secretly laughing at him. By extension also, how will ExxonMobil respect the other Members of Cabinet, who are all of lesser political and professional pedigree in matters of development than Minister Greenidge? Advise President Granger that the travel costs, hotel accommodation costs and subsistence expenses for all Guyanese delegations, to any and all investment and business development meetings with ExxonMobil, and its affiliates, must be paid for by the Government of Guyana. Any investor, who pays for your delegation’s travels and other costs for meetings at home and abroad, is automatically in the driver’s seat in subsequent negotiations and discussions, because Ministers and other (Continued on page 6)
We must guard against the violence in Venezuela DEAR EDITOR, Given the recent violence in Venezuela, their attitude to our border and the criminal excursions occurring in and out of the country that affect our citizens with Venezuelans involvement, we must as a country be VERY CLEAR that they are no longer welcomed or invited to be a part of our journey to the good life until they can contain, control and eliminate the criminal element within their society. Blatant disregard and disrespect for their own citizens, much less our fellow Guyanese should send a clear message to our fellow citizens that Enough is Enough and it is no longer business as
usual. Business dealings with Venezuelans should be significantly curtailed. We do not need their problems and poor behaviour within our borders, and enabling our Country’s declared enemy should be considered criminal. It is time we seriously reconsider our diplomatic relationship and the role of our representatives. The recall of our citizens from Venezuela should be discussed to ensure their safety. Such an act if implemented should be until all controversial matters have been resolved and Venezuela demonstrates its ability to continually obey the rule of interna-
tional law. The military needs to also seriously consider securing the border and strengthening their bases to prevent the overflow of the criminal element into Guyana. It is becoming clear that the Venezuelan citizens are living in a failed democracy where violence is taking over all corners of their society. Colombia recently saw a huge influx of Venezuelans by its border. I am sorry, but we need to focus on Helping our laid off sugar workers with the limited resources (including our medical supplies) we currently have. At this time we Guyanese must become more internally
focused and ensure we continue to find ways to uplift our fellow citizens out of poverty and crime. Yes, this means Guyana for Guyanese. Ensuring the elimination and purging of such bad influences from Venezuela, as seen in recent events, occurs quickly and permanently until there is a clear change. It is my hope that the security initiatives we have signed onto with the United Kingdom is pursued aggressively in the near term, thus, ensuring improved national security and protection for all of our citizens in every region. Best regards, Jamil Changlee
Saturday January 20, 2018
Two reactions to similar situation DEAR EDITOR, On page 14 of the Sunday edition of the Guyana Times Newspapers captioned ’50% Severance payment not enough—GTUC’, as a VicePresident of the Guyana Trades Union Congress, I would like to make it pellucid that the Executive of our Organization never had any discussion on the closure of the Sugar Estates and the resulting effects same would have on the workers and the Economy. Those concerns expressed are obviously that person’s personal view. What is dangerous about his exuberant excursion into such matters, is that such singular utterances could well fuel Guyana’s simmering political and racial insecurities, therefore it is of utmost importance that the GTUC treat this matter as a collective. Severance payment is earned consistent with the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, to determine if an employer has the means to make a one off payment. What is honourable and quite clear, is the present Government public declaration that the Sugar Workers will be paid half of their Severance now and the other half later in the year.
A public statement was made, thereby cementing a guarantee, which is much more than some Labour Organization can match, since they owe many of their retired staff Severance and Salaries earned. Many years have passed and they are still to be paid. It is indeed very honourable of that person whom I am sure is a GTUC Executive to show Solidarity with the Severed Sugar workers and more so the Federation of Independent Trade Unions in Guyana( FITUG). The Labour Organization under whose umbrella the Sugar Workers Union/s fall. The GTUC needs to have internal discussions as a collective, then have discussions with FITUG, followed by a joint press release, if necessary. However, one ought not to forget that under the previous Government FITUG was treated like royalty comparable to what Roman ruler, Caligula, had conferred on his horse. What is also worthy of note under the same Government, when the Bauxite Industry was being dismantled the affected workers did not receive their Severance immediately. What they got was the money from their Pension
Plan. With Rusal, a former Chief Labour Officer was employed there as a Labour Consultant who seemed bent on ensuring that there was a counter to every Labour violation that the workers objected to. The former Government stopped the Critchlow Labour College Subvention but ensured that GAWU got the Subvention for its Labour College in Kingston, Georgetown. Under the PPP Government there were many brutal Labour violations including the three mentioned above and ironically with its open assault on Labour and the GTUC in particular, FITUG was silent. The question is asked ‘Were they patiently and quietly awaiting the death and burial of the GTUC? In closing, l would like to see this ‘Standard Bearer’ of Trade Union Militancy and Solidarity, display the same passion on behalf of the Guyana Postal and Telecommunications Workers Union members (an affiliate of the GTUC), who are presently fighting for their very survival. Eon Andrews. Vice-president. GTUC.
Do not emulate North America and Western Europe in this area DEAR EDITOR, If you’ve been observing the headlines of importance over the last couple years, you may have noticed the incredible surge of interest in affirming homosexuality and trans-genderism in the American, Canadian, and Western European educational systems. This extends beyond the classrooms where teachers advise young students to attend explicit Gay Pride Parades where participants are typically fully nude in public as a doctrine of ‘freedom of expression’. I do not accept the idea of Caribbean nations to follow such curriculum. It’s obscene, immoral, unscientific and inappropriate for children. However, even when I point that out I will expect the usual
name calling from LGBT and gender issue organizations. Despite this, I will continue to explain why we should not allow LGBT and gender issue organizations to corrupt our children. Firstly, there is a very significant difference between tolerance of homosexuals as human rights, and indoctrinating impressionable minds in order to recruit foot soldiers and willing participants for homosexuality. In other words, a teacher can advise a teenage student that they shouldn’t bully their classmate for identifying as a ho-
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mosexual, but when teachers encourage impressionable young minds like primary school students to cross dress and become homosexuals, then that crosses the line. Furthermore, the LGBT curriculum in USA, Canada and Western Europe are becoming very explicit that parents are starting to protest against such explicit content being taught to their children, but to no avail. Instead, LGBT and gender issue collaborators in the teaching profession attempt to denounce the complaints as (Continued on page 6)
GFF must respect every stakeholder DEAR EDITOR, “This is a new era of open societies. People are cognizant that their government belongs to them and demand accountability and transparency.” This was part of a quote in a letter penned by President, Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) Rickford Burke, in response to the contentious issue between Director of Public Information, Mr. Imran Khan and Indian High Commissioner to Guyana His Excellency V. Mahalingam. Khan questioned why the Government of India invited 20 opposition PPP IndoGuyanese Members of Parliament (MPs) and only three ruling coalition IndoGuyanese MPs, to an all-Indian parliamentarians’ conference in New Delhi, India. While the issue, which appeared in the January 19, 2018 Kaieteur News under the caption, ‘Imran Khan asked a question that is vital to our strategic national interest’, has no relation to sports and more directly football, Mr. Burke’s above citation would appear applicable to reminding the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) that its current
stance pertaining to its nonengagement with pertinent stakeholders before arriving at certain decisions seems to be in divergence to new norms. The GFF must understand that its operations in terms of accountability, transparency and fairness belong to every stakeholder. This function should never be compromised for the advantage of some. The local governing body for the sport must strive to distinguish itself from past administrations in terms of its appearance and actions for the beautiful game to develop. Past administrations failed to respect the value of every stakeholder and the sport paid the ultimate price - a result that is still being felt today. The current administration came to power on the promise of accountability, transparency and inclusiveness. Incumbent Mr. Wayne Forde, during his acceptance speech, told the gathering that the sport had waited many years for change, perhaps a testimony to the manner in which past administrations governed previously. He acknowledged that
while the road ahead will present challenges, the support from the executive and all stakeholders of the game will be crucial to navigate those barriers. Forde, also spoke of an all-inclusive strategy being the feature of the new executive, adding that he would facilitate sensible proposals, but recent actions do not correspond with that pronouncement. This approach needs to change for the sport to enjoy real success. He also spoke of “all hands being on deck” in order to advance the sport, but this notion appears to have been totally forgotten or completely ignored. The mere lack of consultation or any sort of engagement among all stakeholders before decisions are made is evidence enough to suggest the above. It may be opportune to remind the GFF President that apart from the General Council, other stakeholders include the corporate community, Government, promoters, coordinators, fans and critics Has he tapped all those sources? Yours respectfully, Rawle Welch
“Dead Meat” Alliance for Change DEAR EDITOR, Kemraj Ramjattan had predicted shortly before the 2015 national elections that his political party, the AFC, would become “dead meat” should it team up with PNC/APNU. Well it subsequently contested the elections under the banner of APNU-AFC and with the active campaigning by the party’s leaders, Ramjattan, Nagamootoo, Trotman, Patterson and others of the Party. Having teamed up with APNU, the AFC claimed that it brought in some 11% of the votes; and the AFC leaders and members were given some 40% of parliamentary seats and ministerial positions in the Granger-led government. The AFC faction was given large and important ministries, including Public Infrastructure, Agriculture, Public Safety, and the Prime Minister position with attractive and substantially enhanced remuneration packages which motivated them, at every opportunity, to sing loudly for their supper without rocking the
government boat. This gives the facade of a powerful partnership with ministerial titles and parliamentary seats; but the PNC kept them in their places so that they support without a squeak of opposition to all the actions of the PNC leader and President, who is dominantly and totally in control of the grouping. He remunerated them well, and provided the magnificent ministerial and job titles. However, their conduct and performance of their lawful public duties can only be evaluated as third-raters. Their campaign was deceptive, fooling part of the PPP base, offering them “a good, and even a better life”. The AFC sold out to the PNC. The rice farmers, and the thousands of sugar workers who were vindictively, spitefully, racial and political discriminated, dismissed and placed on the bread line as their 2017 Christmas gifts for themselves, their families, and surrounding communities, now agree (Continued on page 6)
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Top Cop can preside over these indiscretions DEAR EDITOR, I was elated that our Commissioner of Police (ag), Mr. David Ramnarine, announced that his detectives have solved 77% of the murders or 88 cases out of 116. He further stated that there was an 11% decrease in serious crimes such as robbery under arms, and murder. However he admitted that there was a 25% increase in robbery with violence and robbery with aggravation. There was also a marked increase in carjackings which he categorized as ‘alarming’. This increase in robberies must have prompted the US Government to issue an advisory on January 10, 2018 to its citizens travelling to Guyana to exercise caution. It further states that ‘local police lack the resources to effectively respond to serious criminal incidents’. Unfortunately, we have been classified in the same category as Jamaica. However, while I know that stopping murders is not controllable, their solutions should be within the capacity of the Police Force. It is heartening to know that 77% of the murder cases have been solved although successful prosecution is not guaranteed due to incompetence and in some cases corruption. But my point of content i o n i s t h a t w h i l e M r.
Ramnarine congratulated his detectives, he failed to acknowledge the vital inputs from civil society and in some cases, from relatives of the victims themselves. For instance, in the Marcus Bisram’s case, it was a member of civil society who insisted that the death of the carpenter was murder after being given information by the relatives of the murdered man. The matter was initially treated as an accident after millions of dollars were allegedly thrown at some ranks of the police. This was similar to the case of the man who allegedly murdered his wife and buried her under some bora beds. And yet a similar case is that of the young man who was murdered and his body burnt in a hole behind the suspect’s house. The mother and brother of the dead man had to do their own digging and unearthing of the evidence that the body was that of their son and that he was murdered. The police did not investigate this even though the parents of the murdered man had initially given this information to the police. In many cases the police actually ‘slept’ on the information fed to them or were paid to turn a blind eye. It is my fact based opinion that many more murders would be solved if the
police have the ‘will’ to solve them and they are not so ready to accept bribes. They do have the capacity. This is what you should investigate Mr. Commissioner. This obvious lethargy and inertia seems to be getting worse since the police stations are now given free Wifi service. When one enters the police station, regardless of the time, many ranks can be seen with their heads buried in their cellphones rudely hesitant to even look at the complainant. Many times the public has to wait until the ranks have mustered enough will power to move away from the chats engaged in or the movies they were watching. Why should the police have their cell phones on when they are on duty in the station? They have the landlines and the radio handsets which should be used for communication purposes. Many times when these indolent ranks are ‘disturbed’ to do their jobs, the ‘errant’ person faces the full brunt of the anger and wrath of these ranks. This results in citizens being very circumspect in going to the station. I am calling on the Commissioner to address this growing epidemic which is marring the efficiency and effectiveness of the GPF. Currently, there are two
serious issues which need to be addressed in Region Six and despite numerous letters to the media the Commissioner of Police chose not to intervene. This has to do with the ‘parked’ vehicles on both sides of the Corentyne Highway and the ever growing noise nuisance for the mobile vendors and advertisers. Both are health hazards in their own rightsthe ‘parked’ vehicles have claimed a few lives and the blaring speakers have caused disruptions in the lives of many residents. The list of products and services being advertised is growing by leaps and bounds. The Commissioner needs to address the issue of the Commander granting passes to the defaulters even though the EPA is the body responsible for the granting of such permissions. How much more can we endure Mr. Commissioner? I do feel that the Commissioner, Mr. Ramnarine, does have the ability to drastically change the current inefficient and ineffective modus operandi of the GPF since he has shown that capacity but he needs to delve deeper into the ‘white washed’ reports from the heads of the various Regions and do some impromptu visits to these regions. Yours sincerely, Raj Lakram
Do not emulate North America and Western... From page 5 “homophobia”, or they use secrecy to hide what is being taught to students in school. H o w e v e r, t h e L G B T community has an immunity against criticism because in various countries such as Canada, criticizing homosexuals is considered a hate crime. Even in the USA where there are
higher protections for free speech, refusing to bake a wedding cake for newlywed lesbians, or refusing to sign off a marriage certificate for a gay couple is considered an offence. Furthermore, the latest trend in countries such as Australia is for nursery school students as young as four and five to somehow have the
mental and legal capacity to make a decision to change their gender through hormonal treatments and gender re-ass i g n m e n t s u r g e r y. I n Canada, teachers are obliged not to inform parents if their child wants to change their gender. Therefore, parents and respected members of the community must petition their local education officials to reject the LGBT
community’s proposal to implement homosexuality and gender issues in our schools. Poorer countries like Haiti and Jamaica were able to protest against the LGBT community at the risk of losing foreign aid. African countries like Uganda have sternly indicated to America and Canada to cease the coercion of LGBT acceptance in their countries. Once you give the LGBT community an inch, they will take a mile to indoctrinate the young ones to become homosexuals. It is in the interest of morality to prevent further erosion of values by the LGBT and gender issue community. Sincerely, Neville Franco
Saturday January 20, 2018
THE WILL POWER DEAR EDITOR, In a sequence of the film “Apocalypse Now”, the U.S. Army Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) has gone up to the heart of the darkness of the Cambodian jungle to kill the colonel Kurtz (Marlon Brando) who does not obey the orders of the High Command. Willard talks with Kurtz to find out the reasons which have led him to that small kingdom where the madness prevails. Kurtz tells him a terrible experience of the war, as a result of which was born his admiration for the guerrillas of Vietcong. At the end of his monologue said: “With ten thousand of these men I would conquer the world!” A few days ago I saw a TV programme. In this a reporter was chasing a young man who managed a travel agency: he got up at five, took photocopies, gave out them, returned to the office, organized travels and attended to clients. He had a lunch quickly to deliver more advertising of his agency. In the weekends he helped his father who has a bar. This young man organized a trip from Madrid to Cullera Beach and only took up 20 seats, he lost money;
but apparently he managed it very well. The story ended with the young man getting on the bus with his 20 clients. The other day a young Aragonese woman, aged 18 years, that got 13.78 out of 10 (even though it is unbelievable, it is possible) in the test of selectivity, the highest note of Aragon, were interviewed. The journalist asked her how she had achieved it and the girl with a maturity, that I would like to have, answered him, “Studying and working a lot.” In addition, she plays the piano, knows English and studies Chinese! She wants to be a doctor like her father and grandfather. I have no doubt that she will be, but not only because of her grades, but because of her manner of speaking. Then I thought about what Kurtz said: With ten thousand young people I would conquer the world! With this desire, this crisis is a tempest in a teapot. They can do it and therefore we will be able to do it. God help them in their work and in their studies! With people like them there is no fear. ALEJANDRO PEREZ BENEDICTO
GRATITUDE TO KAIETEUR... From page 4 government officials feel that their participation has been subsidized by the investor. This is common sense and basic psychology, and the practice of the sponsorship by foreign investors of the travel and other costs of our Government officials must cease immediately. Let us stop being penny-wise and pound-foolish in our work for the development of our country. Advise President Granger that the same Kaieteur News which single-handedly stood up to the power of the PPP leviathan, is the same Kaieteur News that is still carrying the torch of national liberation, and that will speak truth to power forever, no matter the colour of the Party in power in Guyana. Advise President Granger that while I am disappointed in my donkey, I still have faith that it will not continue to metamorphose in such a manner that it soon becomes indistinguishable from the PPP monkey. There is yet time for the APNU-AFC government to get its act together. Sasha Persaud
“Dead Meat” Alliance for.. From page 5 and confirm the “dead meat” status of ‘ political prophet’ Ramjattan. Let Trotman tell the nation of his half-hearted campaign, how many votes he brought to the coalition and the secret Nassau understanding with Granger. Many, like prophet Ramjattan, predict that Trotman is easing his way back into the PNC with an eye on a leadership position in the PNC. The declared results of the 2015 elections gave the combination a one-seat majority with a one vote win of the seat for Region Eight. Some people argue that we have a government with a one-seat which was won by one vote and consequently a one vote majority government. The reported declaration by Trotman and other AFC leaders that the AFC was considering contesting the 2018 local government elections independently is welcome news. The reality of this is good and will confirm whether their status as “dead meat” or otherwise. It would be useful information for Granger’s assessment. The voters may be required to bury the “dead meat” AFC party or freeze the meat. The voters will not be fooled again. Yours faithfully, Joshua Singh
Saturday January 20, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Trinidad hosting regional PANCAP training workshop
PANCAP Youth Advisor Dr Astell Collins and Youth Advocacy Training Facilitator Kesaundra Alves speaking at the opening of the training workshop. PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – The Guyana-based Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP), is staging a two day regional workshop aimed at strengthening the advocacy skills of young leaders. PANCAP, which is the mechanism that provides a structured and unified approach to the Caribbean’s response to the HIV epidemic, said the workshop, which ends today builds on the PANCAP Meeting of Youth Leaders held on April 21 – 22, last year where youth leaders from 19 countries discussed and agreed on a Regional Youth Advocacy Framework for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. “The training intends to mobilize Caribbean youth leaders to advocate for sub-
stantive policy changes across the region in support of reducing their vulnerability to HIV infection by improving access to HIV combination prevention, care, treatment and support services, in recognition of their sexual and reproductive health and rights.” PANCAP said the activities will encompass the development of the capacity of Caribbean youth leaders to act as agents of social change and to support youth participation in high-level advocacy and policy dialogues. It said the overarching aim of the training is to strengthen Caribbean youth leaders’ advocacy skills. A 14-member PANCAP Youth Steering Committee comprised of CARICOM Youth Ambassadors and Key
Population Youth was established in July 2017 to coordinate the implementation of the Youth Advocacy Framework. The Committee will also provide oversight for youth advocacy at the national and regional level. CARICOM Youth Ambassadors and key population youth will be drawn from Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. According to PANCAP Youth Advisor, Dr Astell Collins, the intervention fulfils a promise made by PANCAP to the participants of the Youth Meeting held in April 2017.
Finance Minister says no new taxes in new budget KINGSTON, Jamaica - CMC – The Jamaica government says it will introduce no new taxes when it presents the national budget to Parliament next month. Finance and Public Service Minister, Audley Shaw, said revenue inflows have been doing “fairly well” this year, and that the out-turn at the end of December 2017 was J$13 billion (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents) ahead of projections. “Happily, with this trajectory, it is not the government’s plan to introduce a new tax package in the new Budget that is coming,” Shaw told the Mayberry Investments Limited’s monthly Investor Forum.He said the government will, however, focus on implementing non-tax initiatives to ensure that importers in particular “pay their fair share at the wharves”. Shaw, who is expected to present his budget on either February 8 or 9th, said to this
end, the Jamaica Customs Agency has been instructed to take the necessary steps to acquire the requisite modern state-of-the-art Xray equipment to enable them to scan all incoming containers. “We are going to (scan) all barrels and containers 100 per cent…. Everything coming in will be scanned, because all I want is a fair system where all persons pay their duties,” he added. Meanwhile, Shaw said the Andrew Holness government plans to lobby the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to further reduce the Primary Surplus Balance. The primary surplus is the minimum set aside in the Budget for debt payments. This was a stipulation under the previous IMF Extended Fund Facility, and remains under the successor Precautionary Standby Arrangement.
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PPP 'changes position'...
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EDUCATION First Aid/CPR and Home Nursing. New classes starting shortly at St John. Tel: 225-9082 PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Village, W.C.B. 49ft x 10,314ft $25M Negotiable Contact 648-7109/686-4818 LEARN TO DRIVE C. Persaud & N. Outar Driving School formerly Soman & Sons Driving School @ Maraj Building- Call: 644-5166; 6222872; 615-0964; 689-5997 (affordable packages). Ultraviolet Driving School is offering a 6 days driving lesson for $7,500. Come and enjoy it! Call 602-2583
FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY- $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-2274754. Video games and consoles at affordable price. Repairs to video game system .Call:6722566/265-3231 12ft & 14ft Aluminum boat for sale 222-5671, 641-6162 1 longboom hitach Ex200LC 1 315BL Excavator, 2 John Deere tractor 5403 & 5705. Tel# 661-4255/686-1962 Freezers. Call: 671-3004 Combines 7300 John Deere (2000hrs), Fiatagri L413 (2500hrs), Laverda 132 & Tractors: Massey 399, Fiat 110/90, Ford 6610-Call: 6859878; 338-4354, 695-2220 1 Toyota Corolla NZE, 1 Toyota IST, very good price + condition. Contact R.Sookraj & Son 226-4173 or 615-1831 (cell) Three pure breed German Shepherd. Seven weeks old. Tel: 626-0953/650-9998 1 Mack truck, 1 Mercedes Bendz, 1 Pathfinder. Contact: 665-1154 Litace Noah 3 (S) engine a/c working (G) series can be changed to private $1,250,000. Neg townace parts available also. Call: 622-5986 Two storey concrete building, fully furnished for sale, Anna Catherina W.C.D Contact 6619880 LAND FOR SALE Parafaite Harmonie (Onderneeming) $1M Uivlugt (100ftx50ft) $3.6M with reserve. Tel#656-0701 Parafaite Harmonie (100ftx50ft) High income $2.8M Farm (East Bank) $3.5M Eccles $6M Tel#6511969 Parafaite Harmonie 2.5M 1.6M Ten year up 3.5M Herstelling 3M Tuschen 5.5M 5M. Call: 666-2326 Parafaite 2M main road 1.6M 3M Herstelling 3M Farm 3.5M Tuschen 5M 1.8M Uitvlugt 3M. Call: 604-6724/ 686-9608 Lot 46 (Long Dam) Vergenoegen East Bank Essequibo. Land approx 10,000 sq ft Building 656 sq ft. $4.5 neg. Tel: 628-9390 100 acres Agricultural land, right bank, Barima river,NWD, Essequibo. 668-7687/677-9638
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.-CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Vreed-en-hoop junction. Lessons place, storage bond, office, other. Call 6036400. Business place/Store for rent. Located at Grove EBD. Contact: 684-6331 Fully furnished apartment two & one bedrooms in Providence, East Bank, Tel: 672-1906/216-2299/682-6238 Plaisance ECD 3 Bedroom house, furnished, semi furnished or unfurnished, long term or short term. #2181107/673-4745/603-4466 Business place to rent. 14 Lombard St Georgetown. 2271385, 653-0506 Tower space to rent in Georgetown ideal for Telecommunication and Broadcasting Contact 2235273-4
WANTED Live in or live out babysitter/ domestic- Call: 223-7500 Monday to Saturday 8:15am4:15pm Salesman, good verbal/ excellent attitude, knowledge in stocktaking, computer literate & team player. Keyfood McDoom. Experienced Handyman, porter all below 40 years. Apply with written application. Keyfood McDoom Village. Private tutor for ACAA, Any two papers among F5-F9. Email interest to odalexa@yahoo.com One property to purchase in Georgetown below 30 million. Call: 615-0317 Forty foot (40ft) containers, in good condition. #687-6072 1 Female Typist, Must have excellent command of English Language, Proficient in Microsoft Office Suites, Age 25-35, 648-1821/219-0468 Urgently need one land to buy in Eccles. Artist to paint portraits & scenes. Tel#6117223/656-0701 Land to buy- Parafaite Harmonie, Tuschen, Farm, Uitvlugt, Eccles, Herstelling, Zeelugt. We pay cash. Call:666-2326 Seeking property to rent for restaurant in Georgetown, Call: 615-0317
SALON Make-up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, etc. -CosmetologyCourses:$90,000 Nail Technician Course: $35,000. Call: 647-1773/688-0009
Labourers to work on farm in Demerara river. Accomodation provided. Tel: 684-1098/6469821 1 honest, reliable domestic & 1 Babysitter to work 7am-3pm & 8am-4pm workplace will be near Sheriff St. Call: 641-1062 (7:30am-5:00pm) Graphic Artist. Call: 222-7603 TOLET
CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE CAR R E N TA L : S U V F O R RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL:6435122/656-0087, ,EMAIL:PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM AIDAN’S CAR RENTAL: PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE . Call: 698-7807 WING’S CAR & PICKUP RENTAL: LOW DOWN PAYMENT, CHEAP RATES,SPECIALOFFERS! . CALL: 690-6494
Furnished 2 bedrooms apartment in Eccles New Scheme. #698-7807 Room for working couple/ single person. Light, water, bed included. $28,000 monthly, $28,000 security @ South Riumveldt. Tel:6230076 Ground floor of four storey buliding located on Robb Street next to Bourda Market. Tel: 623-7731, 688-7625 Lodge apartments (Vlissengen/Durban): unfurnished $40,000-60,000 p/m. Furnished (for visitors) $600 US p/m. 668-7687/6779638/697-6421 Lodge (Vlissengen/Durban): Professional/Office/Business space (no food retailing) 6687687/677-9638/697-6421
From page 20 government,” the Opposition Leader stated. He said support for the investment plan is part of the party's objective to create more jobs for people. “We have no apology for doing this, knowing what this industry has done for this country for over 300 years. We have no apology to make for saving the sugar industry
VACANCY Experienced Security Professionals. Must have 3 yrs. experience, past military/ security. Send resume & picture by email:. bvisecurityandinvestigators @ g m a i l . c o m Cleaner – submit written application to Barton-Sukhraj Accounting Lot 78 Breda & Hadfield Street, Werk-en-rust or e-mail to bs.taxes@yahoo.com Temporary Tax Consultant – Minimum qualification – CXC inclusive of Mathematics, Accounting & English, e-mail application to bs.taxes@yahoo.com Vacancy exists for 1 experienced pharmacy technician to work part time @ a reputable pharmacy Georgetown- Call: 227-0630 Shipping Assistant, Accounts clerk- must have knowledge of QuickBooks. Tel: 616-5591/ 665-3676/226-0395. Waitress for bar. Age 18-27 #612-2522 Cashiers @ Nirva Superstore. please apply in person with written application at 49 Sheriff & Craig St. Tel#2275771 Live-in or part time maid, call 695-5505 or 611-6364 between 9am to 4pm Office clerk Senior/Junior CXC English/Mathematics, Computer knowledge an asset, Call: 223-7500 General maintenance Guy, room attendant ages 25-45 years old. Tel: 225-0198 233 South rd, Lacytown. One Live in domestic. Five days per week. Age 18-55. Call: 669-4436 1 cook, 1 cleaner, 1 waitress. Call Sabrina/Lisa on 231-5857/ 231-5866 Teacher for small classDaycare/Nursery. Call:6770296 HEALTH Get genuine herbal supplements from Hazel’s Herbal Store. Call: Tel# 2269136. Iridology Services offered on Monday 29-01-18
in the past,” Jagdeo pointed out. He called for more money to be spent on training for sugar workers; the immediate issuance of land promised to sugar workers and more money to be available for small loans which will be made available to the retrenched workers. Additionally, Jagdeo stated that the payment of severance must be calculated correctly, as several workers have complained of being short-changed. He accused the David Granger-led administration of creating a bunch of lies and excuses regarding the payment of severance, in an effort to make Guyanese unsympathetic to the plight of the sugar workers. Government is estimating that severance pay for redundant sugar workers will be in excess of $4B. By this month-end, half of the severance pay to about 4,000 workers will be ready. The rest will be paid by the second half of the year.
Guyana, Brazil seek to establish bilateral health committee From page 18 regarding border access, especially due to Venezuelan migration tourism. We also have cooperation regarding serum for snake bites and we would also like to talk about the attention to the citizens of Guyana in Boa Vista hospital,” Dr. Barros said. He assured that assistance will be provided to correct shortfalls in the local health system, such as education/training, basic health coverage and structure. It was highlighted that there is the need for reinforced primary health care service and health literacy to be tailored to residents in the hinterland and rural areas to ensure that persons are properly educated about health related-matters. This visit comes days after the Ministry of Public Health expressed their interest in establishing a possible partnership with Brazil to provide improved health care services for residents in Regions Eight and Nine. The idea is to have persons residing in border communities utilise health care services in neighbouring Brazil rather than face hours of travel to access same in Georgetown. Minister Lawrence thanked her Brazilian counterpart and his team for their visit, noting that the meeting is expected to have several positive outcomes. “…We are very excited at having this meeting because we know what is coming out of this meeting is fruitful developments.”
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Saturday January 20, 2018
Kaieteur News
Brazil ‘ungovernable’ if court blocks Lula bid: Rousseff Brasília (AFP) - Former president Dilma Rousseff said yesterday Brazil will be ungovernable if a court decision due next week blocks Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva from running in October polls, and upholds his corruption conviction. “Any government that assumes power by winning the 2018 elections, without a transparent and correct electoral process, without maneuvres to invalidate candidates — as in Lula’s case — will not be able to govern this country,” Rousseff told AFP in an interview. Lula was sentenced in July to 9.5 years behind bars after being convicted of corruption in Brazil’s huge “Car Wash” graft scandal. The court in Porto Alegre said it will rule on his appeal January 24. That could decide whether Lula — hugely popular during his 2001-2010 two-term presidency — can take part in October 2018 presidential elections in which he is currently the frontrunner. Speaking by phone from her home in Porto Alegre, Rousseff — who was impeached in 2016 for breaking budget rules — said she believed Lula can calm the South
Dilma Rousseff American country’s stormy political waters. “I don’t think that insisting on the political use of the judicial system will stabilize and grow the country,” she said. “Lula can help turn the page, help in a transition period between now and a reconstruction. “We are going to have to try to heal the wounds and mend the country.” After years of economic decline and corruption scandals, Brazilians are so far turning away from centrist, traditional candidates, with Lula a comfortable leader in the
polls, despite his many legal problems. Rousseff, 70, still believes that her impeachment was a parliamentary coup intended to cut a cycle of 13 years of leftist rule, and that the legal process against her mentor Lula is aimed at “dismantling” his socialist policies. Rousseff lives near her daugther and grandchildren in Porto Alegre, where the court verdict on Lula’s future will be delivered on Thursday. Lula’s Workers’ Party (PT) expects to flood the southern Brazilian city with its supporters ahead of the ruling.
St. Lucia taking steps to be removed from EU tax haven list –PM CASTRIES, St. Lucia CMC – The St. Lucia government yesterday said it expects to join fellow Caribbean Community (CARICOM) neighbours, Barbados and Grenada, in being removed from a new list of global tax havens by the European Union. The EU has signalled its intention to remove the CARICOM countries after they submitted plans to change their tax rules. But jurisdictions set to remain on the blacklist are American Samoa, Bahrain, Guam, the Marshall Islands, Namibia, Palau, St. Lucia, Samoa, and Trinidad and Tobago. Prime Minister Allen Chastanet said he had a conference call with EU officials yesterday to identify the problem areas. “Every month there is a review committee that assesses where the defaulting countries are, so we expect to be told specifically what the concerns are to which we will respond,” Chastanet said, adding that Castries has done everything “within its power”
Prime Minister, Allen Chastanet to meet the tax requirements. He said he hopes that by the time the next review is conducted the island will be off the so called blacklist. “St. Lucia’s GDP (gross domestic product) is one million dollars and we only have 5,000 people in our IDC (International Development Corporation) Act, so once I understand the specifics of what the complaints are, like Grenada and Barbados we should be able to get off the list, and hopefully by next
month we would have accomplished that,” the Prime Minister added. The new proposals by Grenada and Barbados are expected to be adopted by EU finance ministers when they meet next week in Brussels for monthly talks. The proposal for the delisting was made by the socalled Code of Conduct Group, which gathers tax experts from the 28 EU member states. It monitors countries’ commitments to abide by EU standards on tax matters. If the recommendation were confirmed by EU ministers, the eight jurisdictions will be moved to a so-called grey list which includes those who have committed to change their rules on tax transparency and cooperation. The grey list currently includes 47 jurisdictions. Caribbean countries have in the past been very critical of being included on these lists insisting that they have done everything as outlined by various European organisations like the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
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Kaieteur News
Saturday January 20, 2018
This blood test may be able to detect 8 types of cancer, study says (CNN)Scientists have made progress on developing an experimental blood test that could detect many types of cancer in their early stages, and possibly even their locations in the body. The noninvasive blood test was shown to detect the presence of common tumors of the ovary, liver, stomach, pancreas, esophagus, colorectum, lung and breast, according to a study published in the journal Science on Thursday. This blood test, called CancerSEEK, could cost less than $500, which is comparable to or lower than other screening tests, such as a colonoscopy, according to the study. The study was funded by many foundations, research groups, and grants, while many of the study authors have ties to biotechnology or pharmaceutical companies, as well as patents. Yet as of now, the study only “lays the conceptual and practical foundation” for a cancer-screening blood test and much more research needs to be done before such a test could be widely used, the researchers wrote in the study. The researchers hope that their test could make detecting early-stage cancers easier in the future. “The success rate of therapeutics and surgeries is going to be m u c h , m u c h higher, we believe, if the cancer is found very early, before symptoms,” said Dr. Nickolas Papadopoulos,
professor of oncology and pathology at Johns Hopkins Medicine and senior author of the study. “This is the first step,” he said about the study. “The results are good enough to warrant the next step, which is to test this in a screening setting, meaning in thousands of individuals that actually do not have cancer and see really how well our test works.” Some of the blood tests currently used to diagnose cancer include complete blood count, blood protein testing, tumor marker tests, and circulating tumor cell tests. With the exception of detecting blood cancers, however, those tests “generally can’t absolutely tell whether you have cancer or some other noncancerous condition,” according to Mayo Clinic’s website. Rather, the tests offer doctors clues as to what’s going on inside your body. For the blood test approach used in the new study, the researchers combined assessing levels of circulating proteins in the blood and mutations in cell-free DNA. Specifically, the researchers evaluated levels of eight proteins and the presence of mutations in 2,001 genomic positions to detect signs of cancer. Dr. Martin Widschwendter, a professor and head of the department of women’s cancer at University College London, who was
not involved in the new study, described the approach as “groundbreaking.” “All these different components in isolation have been demonstrated in the past for individual cancers. The groundbreaking nature is that blood protein markers have been combined with DNA markers and analyzed in a set of individuals with various cancers and controls,” he said. The test was then given to 1,005 patients who previously had been diagnosed with stage I to III cancers of the ovary, liver, stomach, pancreas, esophagus, colorectum, lung or breast. Currently, no blood-based tests are in common clinical use for earlier detection of those cancers, the researchers noted in their study. The average sensitivity of the tests was 70% among the eight cancer types, researchers found. CancerSEEK was able to detect 98% of ovarian cancers, but when it came to the much more common breast cancer, the accuracy was significantly lower, at 33%. The researchers also developed an algorithm to determine the source of the cancer identified in the positive tests, and they were able to localize the source to a single organ in an average of 63% of these patients. The researchers also gave the test to 812 healthy patients and found that only seven of them resulted in a false-positive.
Cohen paid porn star through private LLC created just weeks before election Washington (CNN)Just weeks before the 2016 presidential election, President Donald Trump’s lawyer formed a private LLC to pay a former porn star in exchange for not speaking publicly about an alleged sexual encounter with the then-candidate, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. The Wall Street Journal reported that the alleged encounter with Trump took place in July 2006 after a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. The company, Essential Consultants LLC, was reportedly created in Delaware — which offers a higher standard of privacy to business owners — by attorney Michael Cohen, according to the Journal’s report, which cited corporate records and people familiar with the matter. The Wall Street Journal first reported last week
that Cohen had paid the former porn star, Stephanie Clifford, known as Stormy Daniels, $130,000 in exchange for her silence about the alleged encounter. Following that report, Cohen said in a statement that Trump “vehemently denies” any encounter between the two. In addition to Essential Consultants LLC, a person familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal that aliases were used to hide the names of people involved, including “Peggy Peterson” for Daniels.CNN has not independently confirmed The Wall Street Journal’s reporting, and Cohen did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “These rumors have circulated time and again since 2011,” Cohen said in a previous statement to CNN regarding last week’s report. “Presi-
dent Trump once again vehemently denies any such occurrence as has Ms. Daniels.” In a statement provided by Cohen from Daniels, she also calls the article “absolutely false.” “My involvement with Donald Trump was limited to a few public appearances and nothing more,” she wrote in a statement, dated January 10. “When I met Donald Trump, he was gracious, professional and a complete gentleman to me and EVERYONE in my presence. Rumors that I have received hush money from Donald Trump are completely false. If indeed I did have a relationship with Donald Trump, trust me, you wouldn’t be reading about in the news, you would be reading about it in my book. But the fact of the matter is, these stories are not true.”
Saturday January 20, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Coaching change tough on Gatlin, new trainer says (Reuters) - World 100 meters champion Justin Gatlin needs to put behind him the disappointment of a coaching change before he can move forward with preparations for the 2018 season, his new trainer said. The American sprinter sacked coach Dennis Mitchell in December after doping allegations were made against Mitchell, who like Gatlin was previously banned for doping. Gatlin is now back with respected former U.S. Olympic and national team coach Brooks Johnson, who trained the sprinter in 2010-11. “We have not gotten into
that kind of intense training but my sense is the thing that needs attention and needs to get worked through is basically his disappointment and upsetment with having to make the changes and the conditions under which he had to make them,” Johnson told Reuters from their training base in Orlando, Florida. The change occurred after Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper set up a sting where the publication claimed Mitchell, a former medal-winning sprinter, and sports agent Robert Wagner offered to supply performance-enhancing drugs to undercover reporters claiming to be mak-
ing a movie featuring a doped athlete. “I was shocked and surprised to learn that my coach would have anything to do with even the appearance of these current accusations,” Gatlin, who served two doping suspensions earlier in his career, said in firing Mitchell. Now he is trying to rebuild with his former coach. “It wasn’t easy,” Johnson said of the transition. “Justin is a very loyal person. I think having to make the move took a lot out of him.” While anti-doping officials investigate the allegations, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said that Gatlin was eligible to compete.
Saturday January 20 , 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Be cautious while traveling to foreign countries. Get involved in groups and organizations that are of a distinguished nature. Your intuition will be right on. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You will be entertained and intrigued by the logic foreigners possess. Get ready to do some fancy footwork when it comes to taking care of your financial situation. You must look into your options.
self in order to finish your work. LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Try to curb overindulgence today. Your romantic inclination should lead to a committed relationship. Get busy trying to make more money. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Drastic financial losses may be likely if you lend money. Take some time to change your house around. If you can't get away, make plans to do something special with friends or relatives.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Family outings that aren't expensive will be enjoyable and help strengthen ties. Restrictions may be difficult for you to live with. Focus on your own domestic problems.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You are best not to discuss your personal life with others. Be careful signing important contracts today. Invite friends over.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) Do not sign contracts or get involved in any uncertain financial deals. Do not ruffle feathers if possible. Don't think the worst if you hear something negative about your partner.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You can make gains if you look at long-term investments. You will be encouraged to get involved in a moneymaking venture. Resist the temptation to gamble. Risks will not be profitable.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Don't make any drastic changes or begin new projects today. Find a way to consolidate. Put your time and energy into travel, philosophy, and soul-searching.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your ability to put a deal together will surprise others. It's time to get yourself back on track. Don't let others bully you into agreeing with them.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You will be full of good ideas, and your choice of activities may bring you enrichment far beyond your expectations. Discuss your objectives with partners or peers. Focus your efforts on details, and keep to your-
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You are best to avoid joint ventures, and whatever you do, don't lend to friends or relatives. Abrupt changes in your home may send you for a loop. Don't bother getting even; they'll make themselves look bad.
Johnson, before he took the job, said he also was assured by USADA and USA Track & Field that Gatlin was under no sanction or suspected sanction. Their previous parting was amicable because Gatlin works best with talented training partners, which Johnson did not have at the time, the coach said. His group now includes Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt and Jamaicans Odean Skeen and Andrew Riley. To make things easier, Gatlin is essentially doing the workouts he did in 2015 when the American had the five fastest 100 meters times in the world before narrowly being beaten by Usain Bolt at the world championships. “I would like him so that mentally and spiritually, he feels comfortable in his new
Pakistan... From page 30 partnership and Shafqat wiped out the tail to dismiss Sri Lanka in 48.2 overs. Pakistan lost two early wickets to Thisaru Rashmika but opener Muhammad Zaid scored a quick 26-ball 28 while No. 4 Zaryab’s patient 59 rallied the chase. However, he lost two partners quickly when Mohammad Taha and Saad Khan were dismissed within the space of three balls and Pakistan were 119 for 5. Zaryab steered them past 150 but fell soon and Pakistan lost Afridi too, at the score of 165. The target of 189, however, was not too far away and Hasan and Musa confirmed their two points. Scores: Pakistan 190 for 7 (Zaryab 59, Rashmika 347) beat Sri Lanka 188 (Daniel 53, Shafqat 3-29, Afridi 2-41) by three wickets.
Ashes of ... From page 31 equally effective in his contributions to the growth and development of the sport. In his blossoming administrative career, Callender also served as the President of the Georgetown Football League (GFL). Callender died on December 24, 2017 in his adopted homeland, USA and was later cremated following a Church Service on December 27 at the Denis S. O’Connor Funeral Home. His ashes were brought back to his homeland and interred yesterday.
surroundings,” Johnson said. “Once we get that happening and get him some quality work with some quality people, I think the results will be pretty much self-evident,” Johnson said. Gatlin, in an interview before the newspaper story, told Reuters he wanted to return to 2015 form and perhaps take a shot at Tyson Gay’s American record of 9.69 seconds. Gatlin, who beat Bolt for the 2017 world title, has a best of 9.74 set in 2015. The American also wants to defend his world championship in 2019 and bow out at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,
16 years after winning the Olympic gold medal in Athens. “Justin is a warrior,” Johnson said. “So he is always looking for another mountain to climb.” The longtime mentor scoffed at the idea Gatlin, who will be 36 next month, is too old to be a contender for the big prizes. “I think the idea of age, aging and maturity and stuff like that is grossly stated and understood,” Johnson said. “At 33 LeBron James is having his best year. Do you think... that his body has taken less of a beating than Justin‘s?”
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Saturday January 20, 2018
Kaieteur News
Vickery meets with GOA president Yassin Gill, spinners lead rout of Zimbabwe
GOA president Juman Yassin (Left) and Tennis player Sachia Vickery at their meeting at Olympic House on Thursday. (Delano Williams photo) Tennis ace Sachia Vickery on Thursday, met with president of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Juman Yassin as the worldrated player intensifies her interest to represent Guyana at the Tokyo Olympics and other major international tournaments. The 22-year-old, born to Guyanese parents, Paula Liverpool (Kwakwani) and Rawle Vickery (Linden), had expressed her desire to don the colours of the ‘Golden Arrowhead’ at the XXXII Summer Olympic Games, July 24 – August 9 in Japan. Despite not being born in Guyana, Vickery, at her Grand Slam appearances would identify with Guyana, even sporting some memorabilia of the country’s flag, which caught the attention of Guyanese around the world. “I’m open to representing
Guyana at the Olympics. It’s my home country and that would be something that’s a dream of mine in the future. Even though I wasn’t born in Guyana, I still consider myself Guyanese. I embrace the whole culture and I always love going back, so I do consider myself Guyanese,” Vickery said. Yassin had welcomed Vickery’s intentions, adding “This is great news…this is something the GOA is happy about.” Upon her return on Tuesday, Vickery met with Minister of Social Cohesion Dr George Norton, where she told reporters, “I always feel happy about coming back home. I actually made a last minute decision to come just because I wanted to see all my family and kind of visit everybody, and also I got a lot of support when I was over at the tournament (in
New Zealand), whether it was messages or people calling my mom, emailing my mom and just congratulating me about the tournament. So I was really happy to come back because I felt a lot of support.” Meanwhile, the World 102-ranked player hosted a ‘give-back’ drive yesterday at the GBTI Tennis Court, Bel Air from 6 – 8pm, “I’m also here to give back to some players, it may not be a lot, but I’m sure that the little token could inspire someone.” “I know how it feels to be given something, especially something that you’re passionate about. So I have some racquets and other stuff that I brought back to give to some up-coming players and it takes them a far way,” the always smiling tennis player said.
North Korea cancels visit to prepare for Olympics in South - ministry (Reuters) - North Korea has canceled the planned visit of a delegation to South Korea to prepare for a trip by an art troupe during next month’s Winter Olympics, South Korean authorities said yesterday. The North did not give a reason for the cancellation, the Unification Ministry said. It said a seven-member team had been scheduled to visit on Saturday to check venues for the performances. It was unclear whether the cancellation cast any doubt over the preparations for the North’s participation in the Winter Olympics in South Korea’s Pyeongchang,
an apparent diplomatic breakthrough after months of high tension over the North’s nuclear and missile program. North Korean Olympic officials arrived in Switzerland on Thursday ahead of weekend talks at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to finalize Pyongyang’s participation. North Korean IOC member Chang Ung met the delegation. Asked whether he expected North Korea and South Korea to settle outstanding issues at Saturday’s talks, he appeared optimistic. “Everything’s fine,” he told Reuters.
ESPNcricinfo - Another day, another lopsided contest. India exhibited their batting depth in making light work of Zimbabwe to maintain an allwin record in the group stages. This meant India will enjoy a week off and play their knockout clash, in all likelihood against Bangladesh, in Queenstown on January 26. With little or no pressure to contend with, India’s openers treated the 155 chase as an extended net session. Shubman Gill displayed his punch and power by strolling to a 36-ball half-century, with his stability and strong bottom-hand in playing the short-arm jab for six over deep midwicket being the standout. With a few more runs to knock off, he may have had a crack at becoming India’s first centurion in the tournament. He finished 90 not out courtesy 14 fours and a six. Desai, who showed sharp reflexes and soft hands behind the stumps after coming in for Aryan Juyal, showed he was more than capable of holding his own in front of it too. By the end of it, India had not only ticked most boxes but gave themselves plenty of back-up options should they need it later in the tournament. They strolled home in 21.4 overs. This meant India and Australia were the two qualifiers from the group. India chose to bowl against Papua New Guinea because they were mindful of the weather. Here, they wanted to bat, but lost the toss. This meant their bowlers enjoyed some excellent bowling conditions on a surface that was under the covers all of Thursday and all through the morning Friday because of heavy showers. When play began, the showers dissipated to give way to bright sunshine. This wouldn’t have been all that bad for Zimbabwe, provided they were willing to bide time. But lack of application resulted in a succession of
Indian spinners combined to run though the Zimbabwe line-up to bowl them out for 154 in the Under-19 World Cup group match. wickets to India’s left-arm spinners Anukul Roy and Abhishek Sharma. Roy, the more conventional of the two, used his loop to deceive the batsmen in the air and finish with 4 for 20, to go along with his fivefor in the previous game. The third left-arm spinner, Shiva Singh, was tight and economical, conceding only 16 off his eight overs while Riyan Parag, the offspinning-allrounder who replaced Himanshu Rana, picked one wicket. In finishing with 1 for 17 off five overs, Parag may have also given the team management an extra bowling option going into the quarter-finals, should they look for more variety. India have another spinner in the squad, a leggie, in Pankaj Yadav who is yet to get a look-in. This alongside an already impressive pace battery of Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi and the impressive Arshdeep Singh.
On the day, however, Nagarkoti was inconsistent with his lengths and struggled for rhythm. Mavi was much tighter and created opportunities with the new ball. Appreciable movement both in the air and off the pitch made him dangerous. He could have had more than the one wicket of opener Gregory Dollar, which he picked up in the third over. Zimbabwe’s only pocket of resistance came in the form of Liam Roche and Milton Shumba, who put together 49 for the fourth wicket. Roche, the captain, fought hard during his 45-ball stay, but a combination of being unable to pick lengths and playing poor strokes led to them freefalling from 110 for 3 to 154 all out. Scores: India Under-19 155 for 0 (Gill 90*, Desai 56*) beat Zimbabwe Under-19154 all out (Shumba 36, Roche 31, Roy 4-20) by 10 wickets.
Angry Wozniacki battles past Bertens after tantrum MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Second seed Caroline Wozniacki overcame a late temper tantrum to forge into the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 6-4 6-3 win over Kiki Bertens yesterday. Serving for the match at 53 under the lights of Rod Laver Arena, the former world number one harangued the chair umpire when a line call went against her and pounded her racquet into the blue hardcourt when Bertens saved a second match point. Bertens, seeded 30th, canceled out a third match point with a ripping return down the line but Wozniacki sealed the fourth with a huge serve that the Dutchwoman could only
fire long. In her previous match, Wozniacki had to save two match points on an epic comeback from 5-1 down in the third set against Croatian Jana Fett, so she was thrilled to avoid another drawn-out battle against Bertens. “Right now I‘m playing with house money,” the Dane, a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park in 2011, said in her post-match interview on court. “Right now I’ve got nothing to lose ... I got a second chance and I‘m going to try to take it and see how far I can go.” Wozniacki will meet Slovakian 19th seed Magdalena Rybarikova for a place in the quarter-finals.
Saturday January 20, 2018
Region Five Stag League Seven-a-side football tournament
Paradise and Number Five A clash in tonight’s final at Number Five ground The Number Five Football Ground, on the West Coast of Berbice, is expected to come alive again today, January 20 with the staging of the final in the Region Five Stag League Seven-a-side football tournament, sponsored by AnsaMcAl. Fans, who have been turning out in large numbers to watch the preliminary games, are anticipating a keenly contested battle between archrivals Paradise and Number Five. Paradise defeated Rosignol in the semifi-
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nal round of the tournament, while Number Five A, got the better of Number Five B, to reach the finals. Before the finals which are expected to get started at 9:00PM, there would be a third place playoff between Number Five B and Rosignol. The champion team will receive two hundred thousand dollars and ten gold rings, while the second placed team will receive one hundred thousand dollars, and ten silver rings.
Kerber revival meets Sharapova roadblock as Melbourne cools Maria Sharapova of Russia hits a shot.
Confident Nadal demolishes Dzumhur at Australian Open
Spain’s Rafael Nadal hits a return against Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur during their third round singles match on day five of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 19, 2018. (AFP Photo/Greg Wood) Melbourne (AFP) Rafael Nadal continued his sensational run in the Australian Open, shedding just five games in romping to a straight sets win over Damir Dzumhur yesterday. The Spanish world No.1 took just 1hr 50min to storm into the fourth round with a 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 demolition of the 28th seeded Bosnian on Margaret Court Arena. Nadal, a losing finalist to Roger Federer last year in Melbourne, has lost only 21 games in his three victories to reach the round of 16 after coming into the year’s opening Grand Slam with queries over the state of a knee injury. He will take on Argentina’s 24th seed Diego Schwartzman in tomorrow’s fourth round. “When you win 6-1, 63, 6-1 in the third round, is always a great result,” Nadal said. “I needed hours of court, hours of practice, hours of playing sets with different players. That’s what I did.
“I think I did a good preparation here. I feel I am playing well. That’s all. “Here I am. I am in the fourth round. That’s because I am doing the right things. Let’s see how far I can go.” The 16-time Grand Slam champion conceded just 18 unforced errors and only dropped his service once. The win took the 31year-old’s Australian Open record to 54-11 as he chases his second Melbourne title after beating Federer in the 2009 final. Nadal was ruthless against the Bosnian, breaking his serve seven times with blistering shot-making. He breezed through the opening set with tw o breaks for the loss of just one game in 22 minutes. He then b r o ke Dzumhur in the opening game of the second and finished off the set with another break for a two sets lead. Nadal continued to attack Dzumhur and broke him in the second and sixth games to wrap up his night. Nadal said he would
have to be at his best to get past Schwartzman, a quarter-finalist at last year’s US Open. “He’s a great player. He had an amazing last year, and he’s started again this year playing so well,” Nadal said. “ H e ’s won three matches here, playing at very high level. He’s a very complete player. He’s a player that if I don’t play my best, probably I am not going to win. Tough one.” Nadal, who is gunning for a 17th major title, was hampered by a knee injury at the tail-end of the 2017 season. It forced him to skip the lead-up Brisbane International this month, and he only had a one-match workout at the exhibition Kooyong Classic in Melbourne ahead of the Open. Nadal needs to reach the quarter-finals to be certain of retaining his world number one ranking after the Australian Open, with Federer breathing down his neck.
MELBOURNE (Reuters) Angelique Kerber’s recent revival faces its toughest test in the shape of Maria Sharapova when the only two former Australian Open champions in the women’s draw clash in round three today. A cool front broke the grip of the high temperatures ahead of day six of the championships but there should still be plenty of heat out on court as the players battle for the remaining spots in the fourth round. Defending men’s champion Roger Federer’s will look to continue his imperious advance through the draw when he meets Frenchman Richard Gasquet, while six-times champion Novak Djokovic and young gun Alexander Zverev are also in action. World number one Simona Halep looks to forge
further ahead into a draw increasing devoid of seeds when she meets American Lauren Davies but there is no doubting the top women’s match of the day. Sharapova, who won the Melbourne Park title as a 20year-old in 2008, missed last year’s tournament because of a 15-month doping ban and is still ranked a lowly 48th in the world as she continues her comeback. Lefthander Kerber has plummeted down the rankings from world number to 16th on the back of a year of good old fashioned poor form but has rallied with seven straight wins to start 2018. Kerber, who joined Sharapova in the 30-something club on Thursday, beat absent reigning champion Serena Williams to win the 2016 Australian Open and is a formidable opponent when
at her best. “I look forward to these matches. I want to be playing against opponents that are former grand slam champions,” Russian Sharapova said. “She’s had success here. She’s had success playing out here in these conditions on these courts. I want to see where I am on that level.” Their last three meetings have gone to three sets and Kerber is expecting another tight affair. “I‘m looking forward to playing against her,” the German said. “This is the matches I‘m looking forward to have, especially at the beginning of the year. “I had a lot in the last few weeks. I will try to continue my run and playing good like I played also here like the last two matches.”
Former world champion Fury has licence suspension lifted (Reuters) - Former world heavywe i g h t c h a m p i o n Tyson Fury is set to resume his career after the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) lifted his suspension subject to medical clearance. The BBBC had suspended the 29-year-old’s licence in 2016, citing antidoping and medical issues, and he has not fought since beating the previously undefeated Wladimir Klitschko to claim the IBF, WBA and WBO world titles in November 2015. Fury accepted a backdated two-year doping ban last December and this month announced that he was applying to have his licence reinstated.
“Following an interview with Tyson Fury at the British Boxing Board of Control offices earlier today, the suspension of his British Boxing Board of Control boxer’s licence will be lifted subject to receipt and clearance of all medical requirements,” the BBBC said on its website. When Fury was suspended, the BBBC pointed to concern about his health after he admitted using cocaine to help him cope with depression. Since then, the boxer has frequently given mixed messages about his intentions, announcing his retirement and then claiming he intends to regain his title. Fury has split with his
trainer, his uncle Peter Fury, and will now team up with Ben Davison, whose first task will be to oversee the boxer’s fitness regime after recent pictures posted on social media showed him to be bloated. O n T h u r s d a y, F u r y posted on social media: “Working really hard & putting in the sacrifice needed to achieve glory. Along with the sunshine there has to be a little rain sometimes! There will be no victory without pain.” Fury has previously scheduled his possible return for April, by when IBF and WBA champion Anthony Joshua will have met WBO title holder Joseph Parker in a unification bout.
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Kaieteur News
CWI Digicel Regional 4-day cricket C/Ships
Rutherford (93), Reifer (85*) make T&T see Red Put on 169 stand as Jaguars enjoy 331-run lead
Sherfane Rutherford off drives yesterday before he fell seven short of a maiden hundred. (Sean Devers photo) By Sean Devers Half centuries from Sherfane Rutherford and Raymond Reifer and explosive knocks from Test batsman Shimron Hetymer and Anthony Bramble led Guyana Jaguars to 466-7 in reply to T&T Red Force’s 135 when the second day of their final round CWI Digicel Regional four-day Championship game ended at Providence yesterday. The 19-year-old Rutherford made 93 from 133 balls with 11 fours and fours sixes and shared in a 169-run seventh wicket stand with 26-
year-old Reifer who’s unbeaten 85 has lasted 164 balls and included nine fours. Hetymer made 46 from 86 balls decorated with seven fours and a six, while Bramble took his tournament aggregate to 616 with a shot filled 42 from 31 balls with two fours and four sixes. Only Chanderpaul Hemraj (623) among the Guyanese batsmen has more runs that Bramble who also has 45 dismissals with the gloves. Kemo Paul was unbeaten on 33 with seven boundaries and has so far shared in an
unfinished 55-run partnership with Reifer to leave the Jaguars with a lead of 331 runs going into today’s penultimate day. The last time these two teams met in Trinidad in this tournament Jaguars made 484-8 declared to win by an innings and 217 runs. Off-spinner Brian Charles and leg spinner Yannic Cariah have taken two wickets each for the Red Force who toiled long and hard all day in scorching heat. Earlier, Jaguars resumed on 116-1 and Tagenarine
Easy win gives England 2-0 series lead over Australia (Reuters) - England’s top order fired in unison to give them a four-wicket win in the second one-day international against Australia yesterday as Aaron Finch’s second straight hundred for the hosts could not prevent them falling 2-0 behind in the series. Chasing 271 for victory in Brisbane, England reached their target comfortably with 34 balls to spare and need one more victory to wrap up the fivematch series. Finch had scored 107 in Australia’s five-wicket loss in the first match and continued his fine form with 106 on Friday to help his side post 270 for nine after the hosts won the toss and opted to bat. Yet the target was not steep enough for Eoin Morgan’s side who looked comfortable despite losing last-match centurion Jason
Roy to fast bowler Mitchell Starc for two in the first over. Roy’s opening partner Jonny Bairstow hit 60 and added 117 for the second wicket with Alex Hales, who made 57, to put England firmly on course for victory. The touring side, who were beaten 4-0 in the Ashes tests, lost both Bairstow and Hales in quick succession to debutant paceman Jhye Richardson and then Morgan to Starc in a minor wobble but it was not enough to derail their march towards victory. Test captain Joe Root and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler steadied the innings with a stand of 68 before the latter fell to Starc for 42. Left-arm paceman Starc also dismissed Moeen Ali in the same over to pick up his fourth wicket of the in-
nings, handing Australia a faint hope of victory. R o o t , h o w e v e r, r e mained unbeaten on 46 and with Chris Woakes (39 not out) for company shut the hosts out. Earlier, Finch was dismissed at a crucial juncture as Australia looked to up their scoring rate after being pegged back by the England spinners. Moeen Ali was economical and picked up a wicket while Root picked up 2-31 in seven overs with his part-time spin. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid leaked 71 runs but also picked up two important wickets in his 10 overs. Australia must now win the third ODI in Sydney on Sunday to keep their hopes alive in the series. Scores: England 6 for 274 (Bairstow 60, Hales 57, Starc 4-57) beat Australia 9 for 270 (Finch 106) by 4 wickets.
Raymond Reifer gathers on side runs yesterday. (Sean Devers photo) Chanderpaul got a leading edge to pacer Daniel St Clair for Charles at gully to take the catch after Chanderpaul had added two to his overnight 34. His innings lasted 146 balls and his demise left the Jaguars on 134-2. Hetymer went after the bowling from the word go playing an array of big shots and at times tried to hit the ball two hard. The young Test opener, when four short of a fifty threw his wicket away after hitting Charles for a six to gallop to 46, he attempted to go over the top off the next ball and was well taken at longoff to leave the score on 1643. Akshaya Persaud, who had a duck and one in his debut game in Jamaica, joined Skipper Leon Johnson and both batsmen played fluently. Johnson, with 458 runs at the start of this round, elegantly stroked pacer Anderson Phillips for a well-timed boundary past mid-on, while Persaud, the leading run scorer in the last three-day Franchise league as West Demerara Captain looked very organised. A majestic square driven boundary by the left-handed
Persaud evoked memories of his elegant uncle former Guyana and West Indies ‘B’ team batsman Rabindranath Seeram. Johnson hammered Imran Khan for four down the ground while Persaud edged a big drive off Phillips for four and followed it up with a gorgeous square cut next ball. Johnson, trying to be ultra-defensive as Lunch was approaching, pushed forward to the last ball of the session from leg-spinner Yannic Cariah and got an inside edge onto his pad to be caught at forward short-leg. He departed for 13 with Jaguars on 198-4 at the interval with Persaud unbeaten on 21. After the break Persaud was bowled by Khan at 198-5 without adding to his first session score to bring Reifer to the crease to join Bramble. Bramble got going with two sixes and a four off consecutive balls off Cariah and hit him for another six a few overs later. While Reifer played the supporting role Bramble continued to bash Cariah to and over the boundary. He spanked the leg-spinner for a four and clobbered him for six
off successive balls but when he tried to hit Cariah for another six the explosive Bramble was taken on the midwicket boundary to give Cariah his second wicket. Sherfane Rutherford joined Reifer at 250-6 and both looked good and by Tea the pair had taken their team to 341-6 with Rutherford who reached his second fifty for the season with a boundary off Charles, on 53 and Reifer on 42. After Tea Reifer and Rutherford Square drove Anderson Phillips gloriously for four and passed 300 runs for season but when seven away from his maiden hundred he was bowled by Tion Webster to end a magnificent innings and leave the score on 411-7. Reifer, looking like a player who just returned from a Test tour, hit Charles down the ground for a boundary and soon got his 11th fifty at this level, while Paul, who scored the Jaguars’ first ton in the opening round against Jamaica, pounced on the hapless bowlers and found the ropes seven times in his undefeated innings. Today is the third day and play is scheduled to commence at 09:30hrs.
McSweeney 156, Ralston 7 for 15 bulldoze... From page 29 PNG were bowled out for 59 inside 24.5 overs, with only one batsman - Leke Morea (20) notching up a double-digit score. Much of the trouble for PNG, however, began with the ball as their decision to bowl backfired spectacularly, despite having made the first strike off the eighth ball of the innings. After Semo Kamea removed Max Bryant for a duck, McSweeney hammered 18 fours and four sixes and trotted to a 111-ball 156, putting on 250 runs for the second wicket with Sangha (88), at an astounding rate of 7.28.
Left-arm quick James Tau’s double-strike off successive balls in the 36th over accounted for McSweeney and Sangha, following which Austin Waugh (26) partnered with Uppal (61) to add 92 for the fourth wicket. With less than four overs left until the end of the innings, the duo, too, fell off back-to-back deliveries to Dare Aiga, but had done enough to ensure Australia finished on 370 for 8. Scores: Australia Under-19s 370 for 8 (McSweeney 156, Sangha 88, Tau 2-42) beat Papua New Guinea Under-19s 59 (Morea 20, Ralston 7-15) by 311 runs.
Saturday January 20, 2018
Bad Blood Boxing card at CASH
Lawrence faces Corbin for WBC FECARBOX Light Heavy title in main event tonight By Zaheer Mohamed Guyanese Sheldon Lawrence will take on defending champion Shawn Corbin of Trinidad and Tobago for the World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX Light Heavyweight title when professional boxing makes a grand return to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tonight. Fans will be in for a treat as the card, dubbed ‘bad blood’ also features Guyanese Elton Dharry, Anson Green, James Moore, Sherwin Clarke and Dexter Marques along with boxers from Barbados and Neighbouring Venezuela. The boxers weighed in yesterday at Giftland Mall. Speaking with the media yesterday Venezuelan Coach William Jimenez said that his fighters will put on a great show and this is one of the greatest cards fans will witness since they came to Guyana prepared. He added that his charges are confident and are in great condition. Boxing Promoter Boxu Potts of Trinidad and Tobago, who is in charge of WBC FECARBOX Amateur programme, expressed confi-
dence that Corbin will be victorious when he faces Lawrence. Potts who tutored Corbin said fans can expect real fire works. “It will be an irresistible force versus and immovable object so I urged the fans to come out and support the card,” he said, adding that the fight will not go the distance. Potts spoke highly of Dharry and stated that his fight will be eye catching as well; he expressed gratitude to the sponsors. Troy Peters of Banks DIH informed that they are happy to be a part of the event. He said that Banks DIH has been a great supporter of the sport locally and pledged their continued assistance. Peters urged the Guyanese fighters to give their fans much to cheer about. The first fight on the card pits Guyanese James Moore against his fellow country man Sherwin Clarke in a fourround Heavyweight bout which will be followed by Guyanese Anson Green against Keithland King of Barbados in a four-round Junior Middleweight contest.
One of the most exciting local boxers Elton Dharry will then battle Jesus Vargas of Venezuela in an eight-round Bantamweight fight before Guyanese Dexter Gonsalves take on Felipo Barcelo of Venezuela in a Lightweight duel which is scheduled for 10 rounds. Shawn Corbin and Sheldon Lawrence will then face off for the WBC FECARBOX title which is set for 12 rounds before Dexter Marques matches gloves with Dionis Arias in a scheduled 10-round Flyweight contest. Guyanese Lawrence has so far notched up 10 wins from 11 fights with eight knockouts, while his rival Corbin has 17 wins from 32 fights with 12 coming by way of knockout. The Bantamweight fight is expected to generate as much excitement with Dharry who was born in Leguan boosting a record of 21 wins with 14 knockouts, while Vargas has 18 victories including 15 knockouts. Action gets underway at 19:00hrs.
McSweeney 156, Ralston 7 for 15 bulldoze PNG
Jason Ralston’s impressive figures. (ESPNcricinfo Ltd) ESPNcricinfo - Australia Under-19 opener Nathan McSweeney’s 156, aided by half-centuries from captain Jason Sangha and Param Uppal, and a seven-wicket haul from fast bowler Jason Ralston handed PNG a mammoth 311-run drubbing in Lincoln.
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Having set a target of 371, Ralston ran through the PNG line-up with figures of 7 for 15. While Zak Evans and Ryan Hadley took out one wicket a piece, Ralston’s offensive, across 6.5 overs, proved sufficient to ensure (Continued on page 28)
Pride pacers bring match to life, rattle Scorpions top order – 2nd day, 10th round
Barbados Pride batsman Keon Harding appeals successfully for Jamaica Scorpions batsman Andre McCarthy lbw on the second day of the Regional 4-Day Championship match yesterday at Kensington Oval. (Photo by Kerrie Eversley) BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados Pride pace quartet of Chemar Holder, Keon Harding, Justin Greaves and Dominic Drakes brought to life a pedestrian day with hostile bowling in the final hour to put Jamaica Scorpions on the back-foot in the Regional 4-Day Championship yesterday here. Extracting pace and bounce from the hard, true Kensington Oval pitch, the quarter rattled the Scorpions’ top order, claiming the prized scalp of West Indies batsman Jermaine Blackwood, and reduced the visitors to 93 for three, replying to Pride’s first innings total of 427, at the close on the second day of their 10th and final round match. This followed close to five hours of dour play from the Pride batting which featured a career-best 166 from their captain Shamarh Brooks before they were bowled out about half-hour after tea. No other Pride batsman reached 50, but overnight batsman Jonathan Carter made 36 and left-hander Drakes, batting at eight, hit a brisk 33. Scorpions’ batsmen approached their task with typical flair, but this hardly deterred the young Pride quartet and cheered on by the modest, but enthusiastic crowd they reaped rewards. Holder made the breakthrough, when John Campbell was caught off the top edge for 16 by wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich, running to gully, from a miscued pull at a short ball.
Three overs later, Andre McCarthy was caught behind for three off Harding for three to leave Scorpions 38 for two. Blackwood came to the crease and gave as good as he got from the pacers. He collected three boundaries from the first four deliveries he faced – all from Harding – and followed up with three more two overs later, debutant Drakes’ first. Walton, who has played club matches in recent years here, kept his end going with a few meaty strokes of his own, including a rasping straight drive off Holder. But the pacers kept coming and continued to beat the bat, hit the batsman’s pad and every now again produced the nasty rising delivery and Blackwood’s never-backdown attitude proved his undoing, when he tried flat bat Greaves and was bowled off a thick inside edge for 39. With the shadows steadily encroaching, umpires Leslie Reifer Jr and Mike Burns offered Walton, not out on 26, and Paul Palmer, not out on nought, a reprieve, offering them light with 2.2 overs remaining. Earlier, Pride, starting the day on 261 for two, batted inexplicably cautiously, reaching 299 for four at lunch and failing to earn more batting points before the 110-over cut-off mark. They lost Carter lbw play-
ing defensively on the backfoot in the first half-hour before West Indies batsman Roston Chase was lbw for 10 offering no stroke to Marquino Mindley. After the interval, the tempo increased a bit, but Dowrich was caught down the leg-side off Green for 12 in the sixth over. Justin Greaves was caught at slip off left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, the Scorpions captain, and the pattern continued until Brooks was lbw to Campbell after batting for close to 8 ½ hours, facing 357 balls and striking 19 fours. A few meaty blows from Drakes carried Pride past the 400-run mark before the tailend eventually succumbed. Pride entered the match second in the table on 94.6 points and have so far earned two batting points, one bowling point and 0.6 pace bowling points, while Scorpions, starting third on 91 points, have so far gained no points. Scores: BARBADOS PRIDE 427 (Shamarh Brooks 166, Shayne Moseley 79, Jonathan Carter 36, Dominic Drakes 33, Kraigg Brathwaite 32; Derval Green 2-50, John Campbell 2-62, Christopher Lamont 2-70, Nikita Miller 283). JAMAICA SCORPIONS 93 for three (Jermaine Blackwood 39, Chadwick Walton 26 not out).
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Saturday January 20, 2018
Kaieteur News
GFF’s National Training Center completion delayed by three months
Shemar’s Trucking Service backs Wiltshire Dominoes
Bad weather the determining factor
From left GFF head, Wayne Forde and Project Manager, Rawlston Adams at the site yesterday. After initial works by subcontractor M. Nabi and Son’s on the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) National Training Center’s venue at Providence on the East Bank of Demerara had commenced with the site being cleared and landfill for foundation works in October last year, it was noted that the p r o j e c t ’s f i r s t p h a s e would’ve been completed by January 2018. However, during a press brief at the Providence site yesterday, head of the GFF, Wayne Forde along with the Project Manager, Rawlston Adams, noted that the revised
date of completion of phase one of the project has been pushed backed until April month end. Adams, who is on the executive committee of the GFF, explained that, “The unfavourable weather has majorly affected the project’s first phase completion and so far, the sand filling is about 60% completed. The weather we have experienced throughout the Christmas season is unlike what we have seen in a long time in Guyana.” Phase one of the project was initially set to consist of the pitch being laid with an artificial turf, lights, goal
posts and everything needed for a playable facility. However, Forde stated that the facility is set to have a higher quality Tier 2 lighting system rather than the initial plan to install Tier 3 lights. Upon completion of all the phases, the training center will be Guyana’s first and major state-of-the-art football facility, which will seek to produce consistent levels of competitive football regionally and internationally. The facility will cater for football development among both males and females and will be the focal point for the sport at all levels of the game.
Pakistan seal quarter-final berth, Sri Lanka knocked out ESPNcricinfo - A slim and slightly tense chase against Sri Lanka helped Pakistan seal a three-wicket win and a quarter-final berth, led by a combined five wickets between their quick bowlers Shaheen Afridi (2 for 41) and Suleman Shafqat (3 for 29). The duo helped bowl Sri Lanka out for 188 before the chase was steered by a halfcentury from left-hand middle-order batsman Ali Zaryab and later sealed by consecutive sixes from No. 9 Muhammad Musa. Put in to bat, Sri Lanka struggled to build substantial partnerships once opening bowler Arshad Iqbal struck in the third over. Only the No. 4 batsman, Jehan Daniel, held the innings together with a 53, stitching together a sixthwicket stand of 76 with Ashen Bandara (37) that took them towards 150. Pakistan captain Hasan Khan broke the (Continued on page 25)
Muhammad Musa hit the winning runs for Pakistan Under-19s. (IDI/Getty Images)
Mark Wiltshire (left) accepts the cheque from Duean Boston. Shemar’s Trucking Service of Lot H Durban Street, Lodge has supported Mark Wiltshire for the hosting of his Birth Anniversary Dominoes competition which is currently underway. Duean Boston Chief Executive Officer of Shemar’s Trucking Service presented a cheque to Wiltshire at Seeram’s bar, Alexander Village where the semi finals were being contested
on Thursday night. Boston, who is also the CEO of Boston’s Instant Cash and Pawn Shop and Shuntee Auto Rental both of the above address, wished the teams well and lauded Wiltshire for the hosting the tournament. Wiltshire expressed gratitude to Boston and said the competition which has seen some exciting matches will conclude shortly.
MCC backs Young Windies, Stewart in appeal controversy LONDON, CMC – Under-fire West Indies Under-19s and their embattled captain, Emmanuel Stewart, have found backing from the historic Marylebone Cricket Club, in the controversial ‘obstructing the field’ dismissal of South African opener Jiveshan Pillay, during their ICC Youth World Cup match last Wednesday. The left-handed Pillay picked up the ball and tossed it to wicketkeeper Stewart, following a delivery from pacer Jarion Hoyte, in the 17th over of the South African innings. Stewart immediately appealed and following consultation between the umpires, Pillay was given out under Law 37.4 of the Laws of Cricket. While Stewart’s actions drew strong rebuke from present and former international cricketers, the MCC said the player was well within his rights. “The first thing to say is that the umpires were completely correct in their decision to give Pillay out obstructing the field,” the MCC, considered the guardians of the Laws of the game, said in a statement. “Pillay did not seek, or receive the consent from, a fielder and did use his hand to return the ball to the wicket-keeper. He was thus rightly given out on appeal.” The MCC said while the specific law had been questioned, it was there to protect the integrity of the ball for the fielding side. “The reason behind it is that a fielding team will often take enormous care to maintain the condition of the ball – and they are allowed to do so. Any external influence on the ball – including a sweaty glove – could
change its condition unfairly,” the statement continued. “Batsmen are therefore, instructed to leave the ball to the fielding side unless given specific consent to pick it up. It may seem harsh, but a scenario in which batsmen could, without any punishment, interfere with the ball would be far more problematic. “Instead, all a batsman needs to remember is not to return the ball to any fielder without consent – as the popular adage goes: batsmen bat, bowlers bowl and let the fielders field.” Following the game which the Young Windies lost by 76 runs, Stewart said on reflection while his appeal had been within the laws, it had breached the spirit of the game. Law 37.4 states: ‘Either batsman is out obstructing the field if, at any time while the ball is in play and, without the consent of a fielder, he/she uses the bat or any part of his/ her person to return the ball to any fielder.’ Stewart also conceded he should have withdrawn the appeal but the MCC pointed out that the player should not be pilloried for not having done so. “Pillay made a mistake – he acted in a way not permitted under the Laws. He was correctly given out on appeal. While the opposing captain may withdraw the appeal, he should not be criticised for not doing so,” the MCC stressed. “These players are young and are still learning the game. It appears that both Stewart and Pillay learnt valuable lessons on Wednesday – faced with the same situation again, both would probably act differently.”
Saturday January 20, 2018
Kaieteur News
Page 33
Ashes of former national footballer Winston A. Callender entombed By Franklin Wilson The atmosphere was solemn and calm which symbolised the life lived by former National Footballer turned Administrator, the L a t e Wi n s t o n A l w y n Callender (October 12, 1944 – December 24, 2017) whose ashes were entombed at the St. James the Less Anglican Church Cemetery yesterday afternoon. The David Street Kitty based Church which is home to Callender, a faithful worshiper, was the same venue where dozens of his family and friends turned out to pay their final respects to a man who was remembered as a true stalwart of the soil. The celebrant of the Thanksgiving Service, Reverend Clifton Elias expressed his delight in seeing so many males turn out and credited their attendance to the late Callender who was born in Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara but grew up in Kitty. Tributes which sought to sum up the life and exploits of the man who was also known as ‘Chalkie’, ‘Cally’ and ‘Sultan’ were many. Those that were read came from former National Coach and International Commentator Joseph ‘Reds’ Pereira, Chris and Bobby Fernandes and Gerry Gouveia.
Callender played football with the Fernandes brothers at the Georgetown Football Club and were regarded as a fierce trio back in the days. Long time friend, Attorney Stanley Moore took the congregation down memory lane in recollecting the many good traits of ‘Cally’ whose football career kicked off with the Northern Ranger FC based in Kitty as a fierce defender who went on to become one of the best at the club and National levels. Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Executive Committee Member Dion Inniss extended condolences on behalf of President Forde who was unavoidably absent and the football community. “I wish to extend heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Callender, their children other relatives and friends on the passing of Winston. His unselfish and dedicated service to football as player and administrator is most laudable and will never be forgotten. His calming demeanor was many times a source of inspiration at many heated General Council meetings in his day as a GFF Executive. His place in the annals of the sport locally is assured, may these cherished memories live on.” Former Guyana Football Federation President Colin Klass under whose
The Late Winston Callender’s Wife, Bernice Validum-Callender (2nd left), Daughter Charmaine Callender (left) and Grand Daughter Petal Sampson leads the congregation in singing a hymn during yesterday’s Thanksgiving service. administration Callender s e r v e d a s F i r s t Vi c e President also reflected on his former colleague’s life recalling that he was also conferred with Honorary Membership of the Federation. David Gomes, a Banks DIH employee also reflected on the life of his former work colleague and neighbor whom he said was an inspiration to him in his early playing days at the GFC. Gomes recalled that ‘Cally’
who was also the GFC First Division Hockey team Goalkeeper allowed him the opportunity to play against Suriname based club Leo Victor. ”Leo Victor was on tour here and had defeated every club they played and for their final game it was a game against GFC and Cally told me that they cannot beat GFC. His expert knowledge of the game came to the fore as his plans to smother the attacking instincts of the
The ashes of the Late Winston Callender being placed into the tomb by his daughter Charmaine Callender yesterday at the St. James the Less Cemetery.
visitors paid off; GFC came out 1-0 winners.” Numerous persons paying tributes also recalled Callender as an equally competent cricketer. He was remembered as someone who loved to assist young players and even though he
was a fierce player, he always wore a smile. An injury put paid to Chalkie’s playing career but such was his love for the sport of football that he ventured into the realms of administration and was (Continued on page 25)
rt o p S Bad Blood Boxing card at CASH
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Lawrence faces Corbin for WBC FECARBOX Light Heavy title in main event tonight
Guyanese Sheldon Lawrence (left) and Shawn Corbin of T&T square off at Gift Land Mall. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)
Guyanese Elton Dharry (right) and his Venezuelan rival Jesus Vargas took a photo op yesterday. (Zaheer Mohamed photo)
CWI Digicel Regional 4-day cricket C/Ships
Rutherford (93), Reifer (85*) make T&T see Red Put on 169 stand as Jaguars enjoy 331-run lead P.28
Anthony Bramble square drives during his shot filled 42 yesterday. (Sean Devers photo) Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.